Afghanistan continued to grow in stature, collecting their first ever win over cricketing powerhouse Australia. The upset ended the Aussies’ impressive unbeaten run at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup while exorcising the ghosts of the ICC 2023 ODI World Cup fixture where Glenn Maxwell snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
Australia’s skipper Mitch Marsh won the toss and opted to field first, but it was far from a clinical performance on the park as his team put down several catches and leaked runs defending the rope, leaving themselves with plenty of work to be done with the bat. Afghanistan finished at a competitive 148/6 off their 20 overs.
Naveen-ul-Haq provided Afghanistan an electrifying start by claiming Travis Head and Marsh cheaply with an unplayable away-seamer and a slower-ball respectively. Having put the Kangaroos under duress, Afghanistan went on to produce a masterclass in the field, converting every half chance into a dismissal, which ultimately proved the difference. The wicket of Adam Zampa trying to hit long down the ground had Australia all out for 127, 22 runs shy of victory.
Naveen Ul Haq cleaned up Travis Head in World Cup 2023.
Naveen cleaned up Travis Head in T20 WC 2024.
– In both occasions Naveen Ul Haq Bossed against Head..! 🥶🔥
Congratulations to Afghanistan for defeating Australia in the T20 World Cup.
#AUSvsAFG
pic.twitter.com/V5iKhRma79— Zayed Khan (@thisiszayedkhan) June 23, 2024
